Reuters: Women stage pink smoke protest in Rome as men-only conclave begins
(Reuters) – Protesters demanding a greater role for women in the Roman Catholic Church set off a pink smoke flare on a hill above the Vatican on Tuesday as the men-only conclave that will choose the next pope began.
Mimicking traditional smoke signals from the Sistine Chapel – white for a new pontiff and black for an inconclusive vote – the women also wore pink clothes and "Ordain Women" badges.
Some women argue that they already play an important role in the Church, teaching and caring for young Catholics and doing much of its missionary work, while others say exclusion from senior roles and the ban on women’s ordination is out dated.
"The current old boys’ club has left our Church reeling from scandal, abuse, sexism and oppression," said director of the Women’s Ordination Conference, Erin Saiz Hanna, one of a small group assembled on the Janiculum hill overlooking St. Peter’s. Read More